Open AccessPancreatic cancer screening in patients with presumed branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms
Author(s) -
Yuichi Torisu,
Kazuki Takakura,
Y Kinoshita,
Yoichi Tomita,
Masanori Nakano,
Masayuki Saruta
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
world journal of clinical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2218-4333
DOI - 10.5306/wjco.v10.i2.67
Subject(s) - medicine , intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm , concomitant , pancreatic cancer , radiology , pancreas , pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma , ultrasonography , endoscopic ultrasonography , gastroenterology , pancreatic duct , cancer , general surgery , endoscopy
Because delayed diagnosis is one of the causes of poor prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), early detection is a key for overall improvement of prognosis. Towards this end, periodic screening is recommended for individuals considered high-risk for PDAC. Advances in diagnostic imaging modalities have increased the frequency of incidental findings of pancreatic cysts, including the intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) - a major risk factor of PDAC, having 1% annual prevalence of concomitance with IPMN. Proper retainment of patients with IPMN and regular follow-up by routine imaging examination will likely improve early detection and better prognosis of PDAC. Unfortunately, current guidelines only address management of PDAC derived from IPMN and overlook PDAC concomitant with IPMN. Screening of patients with IPMN, by endoscopic ultrasonography (currently the most reliable modality for detecting small PDAC), may facilitate early detection of both IPMN-derived and -concomitant PDAC. Prospective studies to evaluate the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography in screening of IPMN-concomitant PDAC will also help in determining the optimal surveillance strategy for more widespread applications.